Wrap it up!

Now that the tree is trimmed and the stockings hung, it's time for gifts! Christmas decor just doesn't seem complete without pretty presents under the tree. So pick your color scheme and unleash that creativity. Here are a few ideas that we are loving:

If you're wanting a more natural look, use a linen or kraft paper. Take a clipping from your tree or a plant to top it off.

Using a graphic wrapping paper gives a fun and modern touch. Add a pom pom topper or mix patterns for a touch of whimsy.

You can never go wrong with a bit of sparkle. Pretty golds and silvers always look good under the tree.

We know that the perfect ribbon can be hard to find, that's why we've stocked up! Everything from a basic twine to a pretty velvet in a party pink color. Prices range from $10 - $23.

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Holiday Decor Sale

Put a Wreath On It!

With the holidays quickly approaching, Christmas decorating is upon us. If the thought of decorating makes you nervous and break out in a cold sweat, I have the solution for you! The wreath. It's the perfect stand-alone décor and least stressful way to spruce up (pun intended) for the holidays. If you’re an old pro with the Christmas decorations, I have some fresh ideas for you as well to branch out (last pun, I promise) and add life to your existing pieces.

Try looping a wreath over mirrors and art. Don’t worry about covering up the piece, the holidays are all about cozy textural layers. Make sure to use a pretty ribbon to add that extra hit of detail and color.

Hang multiple wreaths to get a gallery wall effect. Try combining different sizes and textures to create an organic display. This is a perfect trick if you have an abundance of wreaths and a large empty wall. Consider working a wreath into your already existing gallery wall.

Try this trick for your next holiday party. Put a wreath on the front of your console, side table, or leaned on the top of your bar cart.

Weave a garland into your chandelier to create a beautiful wreath suspended above your table. It’s instant ambiance for your next dinner party.

Nestle a wreath on a stand next to your fireplace or stand it on a console to add height to a Christmas display.

Consider a different shaped wreath, a heart or square, to add an unexpected element. Switch out your round wreath for a swag. There’s something irresistibly drapey about this look.

One last note, if you always go with a traditional evergreen wreath, look for ways to amp up the texture. Incorporate punchy citrus fruit or wind in some twiggy branches. Opt for a bay leaf or a boxwood wreath for a more manicured looking wreath.

[photos 2, 3, 9, and 10 by Nicole Hill Gerulat for Alice Lane Home Collection; photos 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14]

Holiday Decor Sale

Give Thanks!

You've got plenty to do in preparation for Thanksgiving, so we went ahead and curated the perfect soundtrack for all of your pumpkin pie baking, table setting, thanks giving needs.

We hope you all enjoy a holiday feast tomorrow. We will be closing at 3 p.m. today and remain closed Thursday and Friday. We will reopen Saturday for our normal hours.

[photo 1]

On This Year's Menu

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and many preparations are being made, whether you are hosting dinner or visiting family. Traditional, tried and true recipes seem to be the standard for this holiday, but it's always exciting to switch things up and try a new recipe or incorporate a new flavor at your Thanksgiving table. These are a few that we are hoping to try:

Citrus and Herb Roasted Turkey | Green Beans

Apple Herb Stuffing

Rosemary and Sea Salt Rolls | Roasted Acorn Squash and Beet Salad

What Thanksgiving dish are you most looking forward to?

Shop small with us this Saturday!

The Hostess with the Mostess

There's nothing more satisfying than throwing a fabulous party! When your friends and family have a great time at your home and thank you for being a gracious host, you won't even mind cleaning up afterwards. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, here are a few tips and tid-bits for pulling off a delightful shindig.

Setting the table sets the mood for the evening. Don’t be afraid to bring out the real stuff – the fancy linens and fine china (I don’t know anyone that enjoys eating with plastic silverware!) Your grandmother will be so proud!

Next, layer in beautiful fresh flowers.  Anytime you add fresh flowers to your tabletop it adds life, dimension, and personality to the party.  Whether it’s a few simple bud vases or several full arrangements, flowers are everything!

Since Thanksgiving is next week (where did the time go?!), adding in a few pumpkins or fall leaves to your tablescape is always a fun and festive detail.

I am a firm believer in candle light!  When you dim your overhead lights and fill the room with beautiful flickering candles, it will give your party a warm, cozy, and intimate atmosphere. Don’t be skimpy on the candles – fill your tabletop with them. A collection of lovely candles will change any drab party to fab (you’re welcome!)

A lovely hostess knows how to make her guests feel welcome. She is attentive and always adds that extra touch to make her guests feel special. An easy way to customize your table is by simply adding a place card. Whenever I arrive at a party and see my name thoughtfully written on a place card, it makes me feel like my hostess is excited and happy to have me at her beautiful event. Who doesn’t love to feel a little special?!

And lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your party! A relaxed and warm hostess will put her guests at ease. So bring out your fine china and start planning your Thanksgiving feast. With these few tips and tid-bits, you will easily be the hostess with the mostess!

[ photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Decorating Your Mantle

Merry Christmas homeboys and homegirls!

So I know some of you are thinking these Christmas posts may be premature, but I am here to tell you that there is no reason to delay happiness! Christmas is happiness!  You get to fill your house with frasier fir and cinnamon sticks and  paint the place in white twinkling lights. Why on earth should we deny ourselves any longer?!?  If you haven’t already, pull out your tree or plan a weekend to go cut one down . Take inventory of what you have, what you need, and last but definitely not least, throw your favorite Christmas cd in the boombox cause its about to get real!

Once you have your tree up and lit, follow me to another area of priority this merry time of year…..the mantle.  The fireplace mantle is a huge focal point!  It's where your family gathers when its cold ,and it's where the stockings hang waiting to be filled.  Let's dress it accordingly shall we?

 

1. THE GARLAND - Regardless of your Christmas style (whimsy, glam, woodsy) the base layer of your mantle stays the same….you need a garland! If you have one, wonderful, and if you don’t it's time to pony up and get one. All you need to do is measure the length of your mantle and add 3-4 feet for drape.  They come in all different varieties, and here is where you can adapt to your personal Christmas style. Once you're ready to hang it, decide if you want it to be simple and straight across or full bodied with one or two swags  (See sketch above).

When hanging your garland, make sure you have some green christmas wire, wire cutters, nails and a hammer.  You will simply cut a long enough piece of wire to wrap around you garland and anchor back into the wall or top of mantle.  This is where you will anchor your nail.

Once you have your base garland anchored and lookin’ pretty, I like to add dimension with a second layer of greenery.  You can interweave a different type of garland for interest and/or add picks of winterberries, holly and pinecones to make it appear as if it has been growing there forever.  The idea is to get your base layer nice and full!

2: TAILS, SWAGS & HEROS Here is where your personal Christmas style can really shine through!  If you are whimsy, gather together your collection of tinsel trees and vintage glass ornaments.  If you're glam, collect your sparkly baubles and hurricanes 'cause its time to cake decorate this gorgeous garland!

I love adding some drippiness and drama on each end (or tails) of the mantle.  You can bunch several ornaments together and  hang them at different levels with your favorite ribbon or twine.  Another trick is to add a wreath in the center of the mantle.  It adds a lot of gusto and is a nice scale with all the small ornaments and berries. (Because honestly, don’t we all want a garland with gusto?)  At this point, you can sprinkle the rest of the garland with more ornaments or picks until it feels right and finished.

PS: Don’t forget the stockings!

3: TOP OF THE MANTLE One word…..COLLECTIONS!  The top of the mantle can often get cluttered with random accessories when all it needs is a few similar items from the same family.  A collection of candlesticks, a collection of plates or even a collection of trees is enough to make a statement! Vary the heights of your pieces so you can see the collection through the voluptuous garland!

My very favorite Christmas decorations are those that are personal.  Ones that tug at you with memories or introduce colors that make your insides dance.  Please include these!  They give your home soul and add a richness you can’t buy. Don’t hide your kids homemade ornaments or the one your mother gave you because these pieces are what Christmas is all about. They have a place amidst the sparkles, lights, and garlands!

We love Christmas here at Alice Lane and want your home to be your favorite place on earth.

Peace,

The Christmas Elf

[photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10] [photos 6 -8 Alice Lane Home Collection by Nicole Hill Gerulat]

The biggest and best news!!!

That's right, folks! It's official. Over a year in the making, Alice Lane will be opening in Salt Lake City at Trolley Square early 2014! Are you ready, Salt Lake City???

Stay tuned for additional details and to see behind-the-scenes renovation photos!

Fall Bookshelf Layering

Dear readers,

Let's take a home hiatus for just a moment to talk about fall/winter fashion, shall we? Because dressing your home for the cold months ahead is a lot like dressing yourself for the cold months ahead.   (Here's the part where I attempt to be a fashion blogger.  You've been warned.)

When we think autumn and winter, we think in layers, texture, and rich deep colors.  For further instruction let's turn to my favorite master of the cold weather arts: Ralph Lauren.  I'm certain you'll agree that no one does it better.

I mean, look at this photo.  Is it stunning or what?  Everything is wool, tweed, leather, fur, herringbone, hounds tooth, animal print, fair isle, plaid, and is that a dog or an afghan?  Each outfit is timeless with several layers of warmth and luxury, which is no different from how our homes should be dressed during this time of year.  Hiatus over.

In recent posts we've talked about autumn-izing our kitchens, entries, and adding coziness using textiles.  Now let's discuss how we can use these same layering techniques on our bookshelves.

USE GRASS CLOTH - Adding grass cloth to the backs of your bookshelves creates a rich warmth and texture that gives your eye something to read to.  Never had an opportunity to meet grass cloth in person?  Come introduce yourself to the grass cloth wall in our store.  You might just want to take him home.

DEEPEN THE MOOD - Dark bookshelves are undeniably chic, and what's beyond amazing is to paint out the walls and trim in the same drama enhancing shade.  I recommend this only if your home doesn't already have too much drama, i.e. teenagers, and/or Diana Ross.For an even bolder effect, have the bookshelves painted with a lacquered finish.  I just drooled a little bit.

If you find yourself on the fence about committing to such a dramatic space, try painting only the backs of your bookshelves a deep color.  We get it.  Oreos are delicious for a reason.  And how great are those arches along the top?  Oh, mama.

LAYER BOOKS BOTH VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY - That's it.  Just do it. Notice how Francisco Costa brings interest to his bookshelves by layering books both vertically and horizontally, avoiding what could have been a rather boring wall of books.  Side note: See the killer sconces flanking the shelves?  We'll get to that in a minute.  Oh, and he likes owls.

LAYER IN THINGS YOU LOVE - Something we always advise our clients to do in their home is to use pieces that are meaningful to them.  Don't ever settle on something just because it's what everyone else is doing at the moment.  You will find more joy and satisfaction in your home if every space is filled with real pieces that represent you.  Use bookshelves to display a souvenir from your honeymoon, your first thrown pottery, your child's artwork, extracted wisdom teeth, etc.  How you layer your bookshelves is a representation of who you are; allow them to do some of the talking for you.

BRING IN THE OUTDOORS - Now is a great time to bring in some chopped wood to add both texture and function through the cold weather.  Can someone please take me here and forget about me? Golly, this room.

...or you might just ditch the books altogether for firewood and get a Kindle.

Enjoy your bookshelves that look like a Ralph Lauren editorial!  I'm gonna go spread the word that I'm a sucker for dark bookcases and trim.

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Christmas is here!

On Friday our elves turned Alice Lane into a magical winter wonderland. Whether your holiday style is whimsical, traditional, folk, or glam, we've got you covered. There's something for everyone! Stop by and say hi.

Magical Christmas Wonderland!

Let's Get Cozy

As you are getting ready for the holidays and changing your closet over to all your favorite cozy sweaters and wool coats, it’s a great time to do the same for your house. We love the clean fresh look of linens and cottons in the summer, but we also equally love the transition into cozier fabrics like velvets, knits and furs. Here are some suggestions to incorporate these looks and textures into your home:

CHANGE OUT PILLOWS - This is a great way to make a big impact. Switch up colors, or add to what you have with a fur or velvet pillow.  One of my favorite pillows is the Oly velvet popcorn pillows. They come in a variety of beautiful colors, and I find it hard to resist that quilted stitching!

ADD A THROW - How can you not love fur throws? Add them to an end of the bed, over the side of a chaise or sofa, or the back of a chair. It’s the perfect accessory to for a cozy evening.

GET A NEW DUVET OR COVERLET FOR YOUR BED - I love changing out my bedding to something that reflects the season. Switch your duvet or coverlet to a knit or velvet. I love the depth that that it brings to a room, and it’s so great to sleep with.

REPLACE A PIECE - Splurge for that new living room sofa or chairs in a soft velvet or mohair. It’s so comfortable to sit on, it looks amazing, and it will last forever!

OTTOMANS COVERED IN FUR - I had the chance to style an area of the store this week, and I used a pair of my favorite ottomans under an entry console.  They add a warmth and texture to any space. I love having these new pieces in the store from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams - they also come in bench size too. It’s an amazing accent at the end of a bed or in an entry.

Using these fabrics creates a look that you can keep throughout the year. They pair well with your linens and add a little bit of luxe all year round.

[photos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Adding layers to an entry

With fall in full swing and winter soon to follow, our homes seem to need some sprucing to make them feel warmer and more inviting.  With the holidays coming up, guests will be stopping by and the entry is the first place that your guests will see and sometimes the only place they will see. Making this space welcoming and inviting is important.

Placing a mirror above your console will make a small entry appear larger and lighter. Adding a lamp or candles will create a soft glow in the evening hours that makes a space feel more inviting.

Layered art leaned in front of a mirror adds depth and shows off who you are. When choosing art, select something that you love, a piece that shows where you've been, or just a piece that speaks to your soul.

Build forward. Once you have your layered art and lamps, build forward with accessories. A stack of books, a hurricane, or a little tschotske collected from a favorite vacation make great entry console accessories.

Adding in layers doesn't have to be limited to the top of a console. If the bottom is open and leggy, add an ottoman or two for some softness and temporary seating to pull on your winter boots. Adding layers isn't just for your cold weather wardrobe, take risks and experiment adding layers to your entry vignette. Your guests are sure to feel the warmth as soon as they enter.

[Photo 1, 2, 3, and 4]

What's in Store - Rebbecca Atwood Pillows

We are so excited to have recently gotten our shipment of these gold-zippered beauties by the brilliant Rebecca Atwood. After discovering her line we couldn't place an order fast enough.

Each pillow is a piece of art, having been hand dyed, printed and painted. All of these pillows are produced in only small editions and are truly unique and one of a kind. And really, what about that gold zipper? We are dying!

Stop by and see how amazing these are in person! They range from $162.50 -$325.

Rebbecca Atwood Pillows

We are so excited to have recently gotten our shipment of these gold-zippered beauties by the brilliant Rebecca Atwood. After discovering her line we couldn't place an order fast enough.

Each pillow is a piece of art, having been hand dyed, printed and painted. All of these pillows are produced in only small editions and are truly unique and one of a kind. And really, what about that gold zipper? We are dying!

Stop by and see how amazing these are in person! They range from $162.50 -$325.

Last Chance!

The Very Best Sale ends tomorrow!

Market Wrap Up

These last few days were a blur, filled with inspiring pieces all around. Oly Studio is always a favorite. Sophisticated with a neutral palette. That chandelier is amazing!

We went gaga over these nightstands. It's like the Serena drum pendant got sandwiched in the door panels.

And Jessica found two chandeliers she loved to go over her dining table. Which should she choose?

A stop at Natural Curiosities was a must. Each piece is inspiring.

We are sad to go but can't wait for all of the new treasures to arrive. Stay tuned!!

High Point Market - Day 2

Day 2 at market proved to be quite successful! Pillows galore! They're always one of our favorite items to shop for at market and we love finding new lines to carry at Alice Lane. Can't wait for these beauties to arrive in-store.

Meeting Jeffrey Alan Marks was the highlight of the day. Turns out, he's even more handsome in person!

Stopping by Visual Comfort is pure eye-candy. It's incredible to see everything live. We can't wait for our lamp order to arrive at Alice Lane. We call this piece the Starburst warmer.

We've been seeing a lot of loose pink brush strokes, which we are so happy about! We love all of the feminine colors - both bold and soft.

Can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings!